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Posted on: January 29, 2020

The 2020 census is happening now and we need you!

The U.S. Census Bureau is now dropping off 2020 census questionnaire packets at front doors of households in Dallas County.

This is the next phase of the effort to satisfy the full count of people living in the United States as required every 10 years by the Constitution. There have been efforts through local government, social media and the mail since early spring. The in-person delivery is a follow-up, typically in areas where most people do not get their mail at their physical address.

Typically, the in-person phase of census outreach starts earlier, however, all field work for census 2020 was suspended March 18 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Census field staff have been trained to observe all social distancing protocols and will wear government-provided personal protective equipment for their safety and the safety of the public. This operation is contactless and follows health and safety guidelines.

You can respond online, by phone or by using the paper form in the packet. It is provided in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Haitian Creole. It takes about 10 minutes to complete the census. Your response is a civic duty and all information is kept confidential. Garland’s allotment of money for federal programs and its government representation are dependent on the count of its residents. Visit census2020.gov.

How does the census impact me and my community?

It’s about Garland getting its share of $675 billion per year in federal funds spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs. Census data determines how these funds are spent, supporting your state, county and community.

Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores, which creates jobs.

Local governments use the census for public safety and emergency preparedness.

Every 10 years, the results of the census are used to reapportion the House of Representatives, determining how many seats Texas receives.

After each census, state officials use the results to redraw the boundaries (redistricting) of their congressional and state legislative districts, adapting to population shifts.

Your data is confidential

Federal law protects your census responses. Your answers can only be used to produce statistics.

By law the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share your information with immigration enforcement agencies, law enforcement agencies or allow it to be used to determine your eligibility for government benefits. Data is protected for 72 years.

Dates to know

March 12-20: An invitation was sent, inviting you to respond online.

March 16-24: A reminder letter was mailed.

March 26-April 3: A reminder postcard was mailed.

April 1: 2020 census began.

April 8-16: A reminder letter and paper questionnaire will be sent.

April 20-27: A final postcard will be sent before an in-person follow-up. NOTE: Because of the coronavirus pandemic, in-person visits to addresses of non-responders have been delayed until June.